Reddish Fluid
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From: Southern California
Some MBs & Bimmers
Reddish Fluid
Hi guys
I'm getting rear concern and am seeking some advice
The weekend before last, I washed my E500 and stored it in the garage for my week long business trip. The car has been sitting in the garage since then.
My wife just informed me that she saw a very large puddle of fluid under the engine compartment. Out of curosity, I went on all fours and look under the car. Sure enough, it was a very pool of fluid. I dip of my finger shows that the fluid is oil base and it is clear red color. Tranny fluid???? Since this is oil base, don't think is radiator fluid. I don't think it is brake fluid as it is too clean.
Any idea what this might be? Hate to start the car and damage something. May have to flatback the vehicle to the dealership.
Any thoughts?
Many thanks in advance
I'm getting rear concern and am seeking some advice
The weekend before last, I washed my E500 and stored it in the garage for my week long business trip. The car has been sitting in the garage since then.
My wife just informed me that she saw a very large puddle of fluid under the engine compartment. Out of curosity, I went on all fours and look under the car. Sure enough, it was a very pool of fluid. I dip of my finger shows that the fluid is oil base and it is clear red color. Tranny fluid???? Since this is oil base, don't think is radiator fluid. I don't think it is brake fluid as it is too clean.
Any idea what this might be? Hate to start the car and damage something. May have to flatback the vehicle to the dealership.
Any thoughts?
Many thanks in advance
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From: Philadelphia area
2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2
Not certain which MB fluids are red in color but you might check the power steering reservoir and perhaps the transmission fluid. Most likely something very simple to correct. i wouldnot hink it would be brake fluid due to the location of the puddle or coolant as I believe that is not red in color.
Thread Starter
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From: Southern California
Some MBs & Bimmers
Not certain which MB fluids are red in color but you might check the power steering reservoir and perhaps the transmission fluid. Most likely something very simple to correct. i wouldnot hink it would be brake fluid due to the location of the puddle or coolant as I believe that is not red in color.
How would I determine whether it is tranny fluid or power steering fluid?
Am wondering whether I could just pour some in so that I can 'limp' to the dealership for repairs? The fluid appears to be clear red in color. It is very clean.
I suspect to be tranny fluid because the tranny was replaced 8K miles ago (due to the valeo radiator issue). Therefore the tranny fluid should be relatively clean.
Man, this is really fustrating. Sure glad my wife was not driving the car when I was out of town. Hate to have her stranded.
Any thoughts?
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Hi there
How would I determine whether it is tranny fluid or power steering fluid?
Am wondering whether I could just pour some in so that I can 'limp' to the dealership for repairs? The fluid appears to be clear red in color. It is very clean.
I suspect to be tranny fluid because the tranny was replaced 8K miles ago (due to the valeo radiator issue). Therefore the tranny fluid should be relatively clean.
Man, this is really fustrating. Sure glad my wife was not driving the car when I was out of town. Hate to have her stranded.
Any thoughts?
How would I determine whether it is tranny fluid or power steering fluid?
Am wondering whether I could just pour some in so that I can 'limp' to the dealership for repairs? The fluid appears to be clear red in color. It is very clean.
I suspect to be tranny fluid because the tranny was replaced 8K miles ago (due to the valeo radiator issue). Therefore the tranny fluid should be relatively clean.
Man, this is really fustrating. Sure glad my wife was not driving the car when I was out of town. Hate to have her stranded.
Any thoughts?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Southern California
Some MBs & Bimmers
Hi there
Thanks for the feedback. If this is the transmission fluid, is it possible to add enough fluid so that I can drive the car into the dealership for repairs? Or am I stuck whereby I can only flatback to the dealership.
Thanks again
Thanks for the feedback. If this is the transmission fluid, is it possible to add enough fluid so that I can drive the car into the dealership for repairs? Or am I stuck whereby I can only flatback to the dealership.
Thanks again
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Joined: Oct 2008
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04 S430 and 07 E350
if its red its atf. if there is that much fluid on the ground then refilling may just leak out before you get to the dealer. I'd probably just get it towed, especially if you have free towing or AAA+ membership.
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Some MBs & Bimmers
I was afraid to have to tow or flatback. Oh well
Thanks for the feedback
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'10 CL550, '12 GL550
You don't say what year your car is, but the earlier cars came with the 5-speed transmission that commonly suffers a leak from an electrical connector at the passenger side front of the transmission. It's a pretty easy fix for a professional.
Your BIG leak is probably acutally something like a few ounces. Since your transmission probably contains something like 18 quarts of fluid, I wouldn't worry too much about driving it, especially if this is the first you've noticed a leak. You can test this by pouring a quart of oil on your floor and comparing the size of the mess to that made by your car. Even at a quart low, there's not much problem driving the car.
You really can't refill it yourself because the dipstick tube is capped by a one-time-use-only plug and you shouldn't drive the car without replacing that if you remove it.
Your BIG leak is probably acutally something like a few ounces. Since your transmission probably contains something like 18 quarts of fluid, I wouldn't worry too much about driving it, especially if this is the first you've noticed a leak. You can test this by pouring a quart of oil on your floor and comparing the size of the mess to that made by your car. Even at a quart low, there's not much problem driving the car.
You really can't refill it yourself because the dipstick tube is capped by a one-time-use-only plug and you shouldn't drive the car without replacing that if you remove it.
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From: Jacksonville Florida
209/W210 Estate /W211 modded by MBENZNL
Hi Jeffrey
What size is the oil leak puddle? sounds like the connector / o ring at the pass /front area that is known for leaks
Please do NOT try to fill the transmission as The Transmission uses a SPECIAL transmission fluid from Mercedes Benz
Also The Transmission does NOT have a dip stick so to check the fluid level you will need the Mercedes Benz workshop tool (Dip stick) to check the level (WARM)
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Some MBs & Bimmers
You don't say what year your car is, but the earlier cars came with the 5-speed transmission that commonly suffers a leak from an electrical connector at the passenger side front of the transmission. It's a pretty easy fix for a professional.
Your BIG leak is probably acutally something like a few ounces. Since your transmission probably contains something like 18 quarts of fluid, I wouldn't worry too much about driving it, especially if this is the first you've noticed a leak. You can test this by pouring a quart of oil on your floor and comparing the size of the mess to that made by your car. Even at a quart low, there's not much problem driving the car.
You really can't refill it yourself because the dipstick tube is capped by a one-time-use-only plug and you shouldn't drive the car without replacing that if you remove it.
Your BIG leak is probably acutally something like a few ounces. Since your transmission probably contains something like 18 quarts of fluid, I wouldn't worry too much about driving it, especially if this is the first you've noticed a leak. You can test this by pouring a quart of oil on your floor and comparing the size of the mess to that made by your car. Even at a quart low, there's not much problem driving the car.
You really can't refill it yourself because the dipstick tube is capped by a one-time-use-only plug and you shouldn't drive the car without replacing that if you remove it.
This is a 03 E500 of Jul 03 built-date. The car does have a 5 speed transmission.
I think the leak has been there for a few days as I was out of town for over a week and the car sat in the garage. You know how it is, it gets dark much earlier and by the time I returned home, didn't get to see clearly what's under the car. Wife did mention that she observed the leak few days ago.
The puddle is in the size of 2 to 2.5 feet in diameter and growing. When I crawled undernealth last night, it was dripping from the rubber/plastic pan under the transmission.
So, with the electrical connector defect, is this fluid the ATF?
Many thanks
Out Of Control!!
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From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
MBNA (USA & Canada) warrants to the original purchaser and each subsequent owner of genuine MB service replacement parts, equipment, or factory approved accessories installed on passenger cars and operated under normal use to be free from defects in material and workmanship for 12 months unlimited mileage. Warranty repairs will be made at no charge for parts or labor.
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Some MBs & Bimmers
As mentioned ATF call the dealer who performed the transmission repair to see what they want you to do – drive or have the vehicle brought in on flatbed at their expense:
MBNA (USA & Canada) warrants to the original purchaser and each subsequent owner of genuine MB service replacement parts, equipment, or factory approved accessories installed on passenger cars and operated under normal use to be free from defects in material and workmanship for 12 months unlimited mileage. Warranty repairs will be made at no charge for parts or labor.
MBNA (USA & Canada) warrants to the original purchaser and each subsequent owner of genuine MB service replacement parts, equipment, or factory approved accessories installed on passenger cars and operated under normal use to be free from defects in material and workmanship for 12 months unlimited mileage. Warranty repairs will be made at no charge for parts or labor.
I've called the service director and left a vmail. Will try again.
I just do not want to 'hurt' the car further and therefore if the car cannot be driven, will have to have it tow or put on a flatbed. My concern is whether the car can be driven.
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From: Germany
Hi GearHead,
my 2003 S211 E320CDI had the same problem 2 weeks ago. in fact the car was leaking tanny fluid for some times when I took it to my dealer
the leak was from the connection point between the tranny oil pipe lines (there are 2)/ Radiator.
the screws were rosted thus leaking.. my dealer was not able to losen the pipe lines, I ended up buying a new radiator..
the pipe lines were cheap but the radiator costed me around 700 Euro.. you should be able to drive the car to the dealer, there should be around 8litre oil inside the tranny.
Mike
my 2003 S211 E320CDI had the same problem 2 weeks ago. in fact the car was leaking tanny fluid for some times when I took it to my dealer
the leak was from the connection point between the tranny oil pipe lines (there are 2)/ Radiator.
the screws were rosted thus leaking.. my dealer was not able to losen the pipe lines, I ended up buying a new radiator..
the pipe lines were cheap but the radiator costed me around 700 Euro.. you should be able to drive the car to the dealer, there should be around 8litre oil inside the tranny.
Mike
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From: Germany
http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb2.asp...SGR=600&SGN=07
if the leak is in the middle, then its the transmission box.
mike
if the leak is in the middle, then its the transmission box.
mike
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Some MBs & Bimmers
http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb2.asp...SGR=600&SGN=07
if the leak is in the middle, then its the transmission box.
mike
if the leak is in the middle, then its the transmission box.
mike
Base upon the drip pattern, it may be in the middle. The problem is the pan under the transmission has become a reservior containing the leak.
I just got a call back from the service director and my car is being towed into the dealership tomorrow. What a pain
Thanks for the feedback
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Some MBs & Bimmers
Update to my transmission leakage issue.
Waited for almost 1 hr and the tow truck arrived. After pulling the car out of the garage onto the flatbed, the puddle had grown to almost 3.5 feet in diameter. The tranny continued to leak while on the tow truck and all the way to the dealership as I could see a pool forming while the car was on the tow truck.
According to the dealer, it was the transmission oil pan leaking that required a new transmission gasket.
The service advisor asked whether I had the extended warranty (which I do have) and I guess that covered this repair. I tried to link this 'failure' to the tranny replacement from a year ago but he did not. Fortunately for my extended warranty policy, this was not an issue.
Many thanks to all for contributing and giving your input.
Hopefully the leak problem has been resolved.
Thanks again
Waited for almost 1 hr and the tow truck arrived. After pulling the car out of the garage onto the flatbed, the puddle had grown to almost 3.5 feet in diameter. The tranny continued to leak while on the tow truck and all the way to the dealership as I could see a pool forming while the car was on the tow truck.
According to the dealer, it was the transmission oil pan leaking that required a new transmission gasket.
The service advisor asked whether I had the extended warranty (which I do have) and I guess that covered this repair. I tried to link this 'failure' to the tranny replacement from a year ago but he did not. Fortunately for my extended warranty policy, this was not an issue.
Many thanks to all for contributing and giving your input.
Hopefully the leak problem has been resolved.
Thanks again
